Cleanroom Airlocks vs Cleanroom Air Showers
In specialized manufacturing, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, medical, or food and beverage production facilities, cleanrooms maintain contaminant-free, temperature- and humidity-controlled conditions for sensitive items and processes. As workers and equipment enter and exit the cleanroom environment, it’s critical to provide a suitable transition point to prevent outside contaminants from entering. Airlocks and air showers are two common ways of maintaining this control.
When selecting between cleanroom airlocks vs. air showers for your cleanroom setup, it’s important to understand how each operates and how they differ. This will make it easier to know which option is best for your application, or if a combination of both is necessary. Here we’ll look at what they are, how they’re used, and how they differ so you can make an informed selection.
What Are Cleanroom Airlocks?
An airlock is a specialized point of entry and exit that uses a system of doors to minimize the transfer of outside contaminants into the cleanroom. The first door opens so personnel can enter an intermediate chamber, then the door closes behind them before the next door opens. Because both doors are never open at the same time, particles are briefly trapped between them so a HEPA filter can collect them.
How Airlocks Maintain Pressure Integrity
An airlock uses positive pressure to keep the cleanroom free of contaminants. The pressure in the cleanroom is higher than that in the airlock, and the airlock pressure is higher than that of the space outside the cleanroom. Because air flows from higher to lower pressure areas, when one of the interlocked doors opens, the air flow travels toward the space outside the cleanroom and airlock, keeping outside particles from entering.
Industries That Commonly Use Airlocks
Many different industries use airlock systems to keep cleanrooms and similar workspaces sanitary and free from contaminants, including:
- Pharmaceuticals.
- Biotechnology.
- Semiconductor and microelectronics manufacturing.
- Food and beverage production.
- Laboratories.
- Material handling.
- Healthcare.
What Are Cleanroom Air Showers?
In contrast to an airlock system, a clean room air shower uses high-velocity filtered air to remove particulates from personnel and equipment before entering a cleanroom.
How Air Showers Remove Contaminants
Air showers use air jets to blow away contaminants and particles that may be transferred in on equipment and articles of clothing. They can be used instead of or in conjunction with an airlock to create a highly sanitary and controlled environment.
Applications and Use Cases
Many different facilities use air showers, including many that also use cleanroom airlocks. For example, pharmaceutical and biotechnology facilities may have cleanroom air showers for cleaning personnel’s clothing prior to entering the cleanroom, and for removing hazardous particles when they exit. Carts, tools, and other materials that are about to enter or exit a cleanroom may also undergo cleaning from air showers.
Airlocks vs. Air Showers: Key Differences
Although both of these systems serve a similar function, there are some critical differences between them to keep in mind.
Compliance Considerations by ISO Class
Whether you use airlocks or air showers, or a combination of both, will largely depend on the level of ISO compliance you need to meet. ISO classifications for cleanrooms set upper limits for the number and size of particles allowed per cubic meter of air in the room. Lower ISO class numbers, like ISO 1 through 5 are considered the “cleanest” and allow only very few and very small particles. These are more likely to require an air shower or both an air shower and airlock. Higher classification numbers, such as 7 through 9, are permitted to have more and larger particles, and may only require an airlock.
Installation and Cost Factors
There are different options for these systems, which affects installation complexity and costs. For example, does your airlock system require manual or motorized doors? Which type of HEPA filter is suitable for your ISO classification level? Air showers include blowers, filters, adjustable nozzles, and computerized control systems. Installation is generally more involved and may require more frequent maintenance and upkeep. It’s important to remember that in some situations, an air shower system is required.
When to Use Both Systems Together
Many cleanrooms use airlocks and air showers together for extra-thorough cleaning and decontamination. For example, in semiconductor or pharmaceutical production cleanrooms, an airlock and air shower may be installed, along with a separate gown room for donning and doffing protective clean coverings for clothes, hair, hands, and shoes.
Reliable Air Showers From Liberty Industries
If you’re not sure whether you need an airlock, air shower, or both for your cleanroom environment, the experts at Liberty Industries can help. We offer a range of cleanroom products, including air showers, mats, pass thru units, cleanroom structures, and supplies. We serve multiple industries, such as the pharmaceutical, medical, government, industrial, automotive, and aerospace industries.
For additional information about our offerings and to find the right solution for your cleanroom facility, contact us today, and we’ll connect you with one of our experts.
